Your West Bend School Board:
...is not only running with the $27K referendum, but trying to pull off a HUGE tax increase right along with it. (Guess your "yes" vote wasn't enough.)
..West Bend was paid $29,084,419 in the 2008-2009 school year. For this budget, they are projecting $31,291,816 for the same things in the 2009-2010 school year. In other words, state aid is actually going UP in real dollars. It appears that the district is playing the favorite game of politicians in claiming that aid that falls short of their expectations are a “cut.” (Owen did the math.)
...School Board Chairman, Joe Carlson, doesn't believe the public should know about the tax levy. This is evidenced by his numerous claims of "disappointment" when challenged by board member, Tim Stepanski to take his opposition behind closed doors. See here, here and here.
...On the flip side, fiscal conservatives have advocates in Stepanski and Koenig, who appear to be unafraid to represent the constituents who elected them, giving solid representation in a forthcoming and transparent manner.
...Seems Carlson, et. al, are a tad bit disingenuous about the state aid. (Ya think?) This is being used as the driving force behind justifying district spending, which is scheduled to go down for a vote on Monday night, the 28th at 7 pm at the District Offices.
...Seems some "back door" games are being played to squeeze more $$$$ out of taxpayers.
Let's flashback to the questionnaire from the last school board election.
WILL IT TROUBLE YOU TO OPPOSE A BOARD MAJORITY ON AN ISSUE?
STEPANSKI: No.
TELL US WHAT APPROACHES YOU WOULD EMPLOY TO HOLD MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISMANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT RESOURCES?
STEPANSKI: District resources belong to the taxpayer. It is important that the citizen is made aware of the situation. It is also important that after a complete investigation, the person responsible would be disciplined up to and including termination and possible prosecution.
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON BALANCING A DISTRICT BUDGET IN DIFFICULT TIMES?
STEPANSKI: A budget is to be balanced no matter what the situation - good or bad. We are accountable to the taxpayer and it is imperative that we can prove we will operate within our means.
Seems Stepanski is showing he's made of the stuff he promised his constituents. A very good representation, indeed.
HERE'S AN UPDATE ON THE FIGURES. OWEN DID SOME RECALCULATING. CHECK IT OUT HERE.
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